Factors affecting ability of TB patients to follow treatment guidelines - applying a capability approach.

Background: Negotiating anti-Tuberculosis treatment is a complicated process comprising daily consumption of multiple medications at stipulated times and dosages, as well as periodic follow-ups and investigations, may not be uniform for all Tuberculosis (TB) patients and some may perform better than others. In this context, we conducted a study in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala to ascertain the ability of those suffering from TB to follow treatment guidelines.

Methods: This study used an embedded mixed methods design.

Health inequities around gender, disability and internal migration: are local governments doing enough.

Setting: The Kerala health system in India has more than 25 years of decentralised implementation experience. Decentralization could assist in addressing health disparities such as gender, disability, and migration.

Objective: To explore how inequity issues comprising gender, disability and internal migrations were being addressed at present by the decentralised Kerala health system.

Local governments and community-based rehabilitation for developmental disabilities: leaving no one behind.

Setting: The BUDS (not an acronym) institutions comprise a community-based rehabilitation initiative for children and families affected by developmental disabilities in Kerala, India.

Objective: To explore the role of local governments in the establishment and functioning of BUDS institutions.

Design: We used qualitative approaches comprising document review and in-depth interviews with trainers, parents of children with developmental disabilities and elected representatives.